WEST VANCOUVER, BC, June 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament Pamela Goldsmith-Jones welcomed the public to an open house at the Centre for Aquaculture and Environmental Research (CAER), locally known as the West Van Lab.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is transforming CAER in West Vancouver, BC as well as the Gulf Fisheries Centre in Moncton, NB into world class Science Enterprise Centres that will become innovative, collaborative research hubs. These centres will foster partnerships between the scientific and academic communities, Indigenous peoples, business groups, government partners, non-government organizations and the public. Today's open house was a chance to showcase the facility, inform the public of the research currently underway there and seek public input in developing the vision for the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre.
Visitors spent the day touring the science labs, meeting DFO scientists, experiencing interactive marine and stewardship displays, and exploring a touch tank and a Canadian Coast Guard research vessel.
Quotes
"I am thrilled to play a role in showcasing the outstanding research currently underway at CAER. This amazing facility's future as a Science Enterprise Centre demonstrates our Government's commitment to sustainability, continuous scientific excellence and innovation, and strengthening connections between people and information."
Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"The DFO Laboratory on the Caulfeild waterfront in West Vancouver has long conducted world-class scientific research. Today we mark the beginning of significant community involvement in this important work, with the creation of the Pacific Science Enterprise Centre. Here, citizens, scientists and the federal government will join together to envision and create a research and education facility that will address 21st century challenges and opportunities."
Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country
Quick Facts
- As part of the Government of Canada's $197 million commitment to freshwater and ocean science identified in Budget 2016, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is investing in partnerships to ensure we have the best available science to effectively protect and manage Canada's aquatic resources.
- A portion of this funding was dedicated to establishing new partnerships and collaborations with universities, environmental organizations, Indigenous groups and stakeholders—both in Canada and abroad.
- Canada's two Science Enterprise Centres will expand biotechnology and genomic research activities, make ocean science more accessible, integrate traditional ecological knowledge in research processes, and promote community engagement and citizen science.
- CAER is an ideal environment to foster ocean literacy and build a culture of sustainability, excellence and continuous innovation. The site has rich history, first as a rockfish harvest site for local Indigenous peoples and later as a cannery. It also has one of the best marine and freshwater sources of any laboratory in North America.
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Backgrounder
Associated Links
- www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/caer-crae-ohpo-eng.html
- http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=tp&crtr.page=1&nid=1063549&_ga=1.89946331.1116276182.1469132774
Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
Michelle Rainer, Communications, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, 604-775-5065
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